FOLLOW US

Berlusconi to play Dame in Aladdin at Redditch

The Redditch Players pantomime has been given an added boost this year by the surprise booking of Siivio Berlusconi to play Widow Twankey.

‘We wanted a high-profile ‘resting’ politician but finding one near to home was impossible,’ explained director Leon Stirling. ‘Tony Blair’s fee was just ridiculous, even though several Middle Eastern countries offered assistance with it, and Anne Widecombe was already committed to her one-woman comedy stand-up tour.’

At first, Mr Berlusconi was reluctant to commit, but once Stirling explained about the levels of crudity, innuendo and cross-dressing he became much more enthusiastic. All that remains now is to iron out the details of his contract. Stirling said: ‘We have ensured that all the chorus girls will be teenage Moroccans, but we still draw the line at the personal fluffer. After all, we are a family show.’